TORONTO — One of the Yankees’ most valuable relievers will not be available to them for at least the next 15 days.
Ian Hamilton landed on the injured list Wednesday, a day after suffering a right groin strain in the Yankees’ wild 6-3 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
The 27-year-old Hamilton, who had emerged as a hidden gem over the first month and a half of the season, entered Tuesday’s game in the fourth inning after Domingo German was ejected for a failed foreign-substance check.
After having to get loose on the mound, he allowed a single and two walks and struck out a pair before leaving the game with a trainer.
According to manager Aaron Boone, Hamilton felt something on the strikeout to Daulton Varsho, his second-to-last batter.
“I think he’s gonna be down a little bit,” Boone said Tuesday night.
Hamilton had been dealing with “something very minor” on the Yankees’ homestand last week, Boone said, which is why they tried to stay away from him, but “his last two outings he’d been fine with it.”
The Yankees recalled lefty reliever Nick Ramirez to take Hamilton’s spot in the bullpen.
In 16 appearances, Hamilton had recorded a 1.23 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 22 innings.
He had gained enough trust to earn a save against the Rays on May 6 and figured to see more chances down the road.
But now, that won’t happen until he gets healthy.